He Lifeng has been appointed as the head of the Central Financial Commission and is seen as the new economic czar of China, although real power is believed to remain with President Xi Jinping. He Lifeng's background includes various political roles in Xiamen and Tianjin. Observers note that he is not a charismatic politician and is expected to implement Xi's will rather than pursue a free-market approach. Experts express concerns about China's economic challenges, including the housing market, local debt, and potential unemployment crisis. Relations with foreign investors are strained, and He's policy priorities are expected to focus on stimulating the economy through public investment, developing the real economy, and stimulating private consumption. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai have provided their perspectives on He's appointment, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach and addressing economic challenges.

Hsu Chun-ying, a China-born woman who became a Taiwan citizen over two decades ago, is being considered for legislative candidacy by the Taiwan People's Party, sparking public concern over potential security risks due to her alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Critics argue she may pose a security risk if elected, while Hsu denies being a CCP member and advocates for Chinese spouses in Taiwan. The controversy also highlights the issue of China-born spouses' political participation in Taiwan and the requirement to renounce their original nationality, which Hsu has not confirmed. The debate has been further complicated by Taiwan's view of China as part of its territory and the growing distrust towards China in Taiwanese society.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), marking its 10-year anniversary, is lauded by China's state media for boosting global connectivity and infrastructure, with over 150 countries and 32 organizations participating. However, the initiative faces criticism for controversies including corruption, debt, and labor exploitation. A study by AidData found 35% of BRI projects are controversial, and analysts argue BRI has fallen short of its goals. Failed projects in Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia highlight issues of corruption. Critics warn of high loan interest rates and potential loss of infrastructure control, while some economists see initial positive economic effects. Chinese lending has declined, and recipient countries face challenges in repaying loans. The BRI has been criticized for one-way trade benefits for China and poor people-to-people relationships due to the import of Chinese workers. A BRI 2.0 is anticipated, focusing on green and high-tech development, with hopes for improved environmental, social, and governance standards.

Joyce Huang, a sophomore at the National Taipei University of Education and a Tai Ji Men dizi, shares her experiences of promoting love, peace, and conscience around the world and her distress over the unjust auction of Tai Ji Men's sacred land by the National Taxation Bureau in 2020. Despite the challenges faced by spiritual communities, she emphasizes the importance of freedom of religion, thought, and belief, and the role of moral education in fostering a world of love and harmony. The Tai Ji Men case exemplifies the struggle for justice and human rights in Taiwan.

China's military completed three days of large-scale drills simulating a blockade around Taiwan, declaring readiness to fight. The exercises followed a meeting between Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported a record number of Chinese fighter jets crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The drills included various military assets and simulated attacks on Taiwanese targets. A standoff between Taiwanese and Chinese ships was recorded, with both sides exchanging warnings. The U.S. Navy's USS Milius conducted a freedom of navigation patrol in the region, with the U.S. monitoring China's actions. The drills were larger in scale than those in August, partly due to the use of China's Shandong aircraft carrier. Taiwanese citizens expressed mixed feelings about the threat of invasion, with some choosing not to dwell on it. Academia Sinica's Wu Rwei-Ren noted that despite a peaceful appearance, Taiwan is facing dangerous times.

China's military completed three days of combat drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and signaling readiness to fight. The exercises followed a meeting between Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan tracked a record number of Chinese fighter jets, and the drills included various military assets. A confrontation between Taiwanese and Chinese ships was recorded, with China dismissing Taiwan's territorial claims. The U.S. Navy's USS Milius conducted a freedom of navigation patrol in the region, with the U.S. expressing confidence in maintaining peace. The drills were larger in scale than previous ones due to the use of China's Shandong aircraft carrier. Taiwanese citizens expressed mixed feelings about the threat of invasion, with some choosing to ignore it, while others acknowledged the tension. Academia Sinica's Wu Rwei-Ren noted the contrast between Taiwan's peaceful appearance and the underlying sense of danger.

China's military completed three days of combat drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and signaling readiness to fight. The exercises followed a meeting between Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan tracked a record number of Chinese fighter jets, and the drills included various military assets. A standoff between Taiwanese and Chinese ships was reported, and China accused a U.S. Navy ship of illegal intrusion. The U.S. is monitoring the situation, asserting its capability to maintain regional peace. The drills were larger in scale than previous ones due to the involvement of China's Shandong aircraft carrier. Taiwanese citizens expressed mixed feelings about the threat of invasion, with some choosing not to dwell on it. An associate research fellow noted the contrast between Taiwan's peaceful appearance and the underlying tension of a dangerous time.

Chinese retirees protested against health care reforms that significantly reduced their monthly medical allowances, with demonstrations in Wuhan and Dalian. The reforms, which aim to address the financial strain on China's public health care system exacerbated by the pandemic, involve cutting individual account funding in favor of a centrally allocated fund. The changes have sparked discontent among the elderly, who have seen substantial reductions in their medical subsidies and funeral benefits. Experts and former lawyers have weighed in on the necessity of reform and the issues of transparency and communication from the government. Some retirees are considering legal action, despite low expectations of success.

A proposal by Taiwan's Cabinet-level Transitional Justice Commission to remove a statue of former president Chiang Kai-shek from a memorial hall in Taipei has sparked controversy. The commission sees the removal as part of a plan to reflect on Taiwan's authoritarian past, while critics argue it would destroy cultural heritage and divide society. Chiang's supporters view him as a strong leader, but he is also accused of human rights abuses, including the execution of civilians during the

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 86th birthday with a video message expressing gratitude to his supporters and appreciation for India's freedom and religious harmony. He emphasized his commitment to serving humanity and promoting compassion, honesty, and non-violence. The celebrations, usually public, were subdued due to the pandemic, with a small official event at the Central Tibetan Administration and cultural performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. The Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959, maintains he seeks autonomy for Tibet, not separation from China.

European Union ministers convened in Brussels to discuss a 'green certificate' travel pass to facilitate easier travel for vaccinated tourists within Europe during the summer. The European Commission proposed the plan, similar to Israel's 'Green Pass', to allow EU residents with proof of vaccination, a negative test, or recovery from COVID-19 to move freely. The EU Parliament supports the initiative, aiming to prevent additional restrictions for certificate holders. However, member states view border control as a sovereign right, presenting challenges. German Europe Minister Michael Roth emphasized the importance of the initiative for freedom of movement, while French counterpart Clement Beaune was confident in resolving the travel issue. The European Commission estimates 70% of the EU adult population will be vaccinated by summer's end, with current figures showing almost 32% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose.

Taiwan's semiconductor industry, particularly TSMC, plays a critical role in the global economy, producing a significant portion of the world's microchips. This has led to the concept of a 'silicon shield,' suggesting that Taiwan's tech importance could deter Chinese aggression. However, there are concerns that reliance on Taiwan for chips could provoke China or create vulnerabilities. The U.S. aims to help TSMC diversify production to mitigate risks. TSMC plans to invest heavily in expanding capacity, including in the U.S. and China, despite concerns about cost-effectiveness and competition with Chinese chipmakers.

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced plans for a COVID passport scheme to allow tourists and international travelers to enter without quarantining. However, details are scarce, and the EU is struggling to reach an agreement on a bloc-wide digital scheme, risking a confusing situation with different credentials by member states. Some countries are moving ahead with their own plans, while technical and political challenges persist. EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders warned of fragmentation and the risk of forged documents. Concerns about discrimination against the non-vaccinated and the recognition of non-EU approved vaccines also complicate the situation.

China's central bank has partnered with Ant Group to build a technical platform for the e-CNY, China's sovereign digital currency. The e-CNY aims to replace some cash in circulation and will initially be used domestically. Ant's database and mobile development platform will be utilized in its development. The collaboration with Ant and Tencent, which control significant shares of China's e-payment market, is seen as a win-win despite the government's anti-monopoly crackdown. Experts believe the e-CNY will allow China to monitor transactions and potentially bypass the U.S.-dominated international settlement system. However, some are skeptical about the private sector's acceptance of the e-CNY. The central bank's efforts are not seen as a move for innovation or competition with the U.S. dollar but rather for supervisory reasons.

China has intensified its propaganda efforts, targeting foreign journalists John Sudworth and Vicky Xu for their reporting on Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Sudworth, a BBC journalist, relocated to Taiwan due to increased legal threats and pressure from Chinese authorities. Beijing has expelled 18 foreign correspondents in the past year. Xu, based in Australia, faced online trolling after coauthoring a report on Uyghur forced labor for the Australia Strategic Policy Institute. China's Foreign Ministry denied threatening Sudworth, while Xu vowed to continue reporting on Xinjiang. Reporters Without Borders and freelance journalist Steve Chao highlighted the challenges and called for a unified stand against China's suppression of free speech.

The article discusses the impending phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China, expected to be signed in early January. It suggests that economic pressures within China have led to concessions in the trade negotiations. However, analysts, including Anne Stevenson-Yang of J Capital Research and Liao Qun of China CITIC Bank International Ltd, express skepticism that the deal will address the core issues of the U.S.-China tech war or the U.S. trade deficit with China. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen have made statements about the deal's coverage of structural changes in China. The article also touches on the potential for ongoing trade conflicts due to mismatches in trade demands and supplies between the two nations. Darson Chiu from the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research provides insights into the deeper issues that may hinder a long-term trade agreement.

The article by Joyce Huang in Forbes Asia discusses the success of the Taiwanese whisky brand Kavalan, produced by the Lee family's company, King Car. Despite initial government resistance and the challenges of a warm, humid climate that accelerates whisky aging but increases evaporation losses, Kavalan has earned international acclaim and commands high prices. The brand's global volume is small compared to traditional single-malt names, but it has a strong domestic presence. Albert Lee Yu-Ting, the founder's son, has been instrumental in Kavalan's development, focusing on quality and expansion. King Car, which started with beverages like root beer and canned coffee, has grown into a significant food conglomerate. The company is planning to double its production capacity to meet growing demand, with the goal of reaching a retail value of $1 billion. Kavalan faces the challenge of changing local perceptions but is set to capitalize on the global increase in whisky popularity.